Leg-locking structure



E. S. JOHNSON LEG LOCKING STRUCTURE Nov. 10 1925- Filed 15cc. 9, 1922Patented Nov. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES ERNEST S. JOHNSON, 0F WEBSTER CITY, IOWA.

Application filed December 9, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, EnNns'r S. JoHNsoN, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Webster City, in the county of Hamilton and State ofIowa, have invented a certain new and useful Leg-Locking Structure, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a leg locking structure forsupporting elements, which is of simple, durable and comparativelyinexpensive construction.

More particularly, my invention relates to a type of leg lockingstructures wherein a supporting leg may be secured to a supportingelement by a pivotal connection at one point and projected into areceiving element at its upper end for securely holding the leg to thesupporting element.

Still a further object is to provide a leg locking structure, whereinthe leg may be moved to position substantially parallel with theunderside of the supporting ele ment for occupying a minimum amount ofspace, the parts of the structure being so arranged that when the leg isin operative position and pressure is applied on the supporting element,it will become more firmly locked the pressure increases.

Still a further object is to provide the receiving element for the upperend of the leg with a wedge-shaped opening, so that the upper end of theleg will be frictionally gripped and held against any sideward movement.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of mydevice, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinaftermore fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View, showing my leg locking structure appliedto a supporting element.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken through the receiving member, showingthe leg in locked position; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1, showingthe leg in locked position.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 1( toindicate generally a supporting element, which may be of any desiredoutline.

Secured to the underside of the support- LEG-LOGKING STRUCTURE.

Serial No. 605,986.

ing element 10 is a plate 11, preferably made of metal. The plate 11 issecured to the supporting element 10 by means of screws or the like 12.

Formed in the plate '11 near the ends thereof are the pairs of cars 13.The ears 13 are arranged in pairs and the ears of each pair are slightlyspaced apart for receiving therebetween a link or brace 14.

The upper end of the link 14 is secured to the cars 13 by means of apivot pin 15. The link 14: is channel-shaped in cross section, so that agreat amount of strength is had.

A portion of the lower end of the link 14 is cut away, so as to form apair of spaced, receiving cars, which project on each side of the leg 16and are secured thereto by a pivot pin 17.

The leg 16 is preferably formed of sheet metal tubing.

By forming the legs 16 of tubing, I am able to secure the maximum ofstrength with a minimum amount of material.

011 the plate 11 near the center thereof is secured a receiving member18, which is provided with a wedge-shaped opening 19 for receiving theupper end of the leg 16. If the supporting element is held up by threelegs, then the receiving member 18 is provided with three openings, andif four legs are used, then four openings are provided in the receivingmember 18.

The main body portion of the receiving member 18 is spaced away from theplate, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The receiving member 18 may be riveted to the plate 11.

The upper end of the leg 16 will rest against the underside of the plate11, which is covered up by the receiving member 18, as clearly shown inFigure 2 of the drawings.

1n the practical use of my invention, the leg 16 has its upper endextended into the opening 19, whereby the leg 16 will be held to thesupporting element by means of the pivotal or link connection lt and thereceiving member 18.

The greater the pressure upon the supporting element 10, the tighter theupper end of the leg will be locked or held relative to the receivingmember 18. p

In this connection, it may be mentioned that the upper end of the leg 16is placed into the larger portion of the opening 19, and as pressure isapplied upon the supporting element, it will cause the upper end of theleg to go in the direction indicated by the arrow 20 in Figure 2,forcing the upper end of the leg into the narrower portion of theopening 19.

lVhen it is desired to move the leg to inoperative position, it ispulled in the direction indicated by the arrow 21, until the upper endthereof is no longer received in the receivingmember 18.

The leg 16 and the link 14 may then be moved to the position shown indotted lines in Figure 2 of the drawings.

In order to limit the amount of movement of the link 14- in thedirection indicated by the arrow 21, I provide a stop member 22. Thestop member 22 is formed by punching a tongue from the plate 11. Whenthe legs 16 are arranged in pairs, then a cross piece 23 may be used forconnecting them together, whereby the pair of legs may be operated inunison.

The operation of the leg locl'ing structure is very simple and yet veryeflicient and is so arranged that it becomes more firmly locked inposition by the pressure applied upon the top of the supporting element.It will be understood that by the term supporting element, I mean anysuitable table top, ironing board top, or counter or the like.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of thevarious parts of my device, without departing from the essentialfeatures and purposes of my invention, and 1t is my intention to coverby my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanicalequivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. A leg locking structure for supports or the like including asupporting element, an inclined leg, a pivotal connection for securingthe leg to the under sine o't said supporting element, a receivingmember on the under side of the supporting element having a taperedopening therein, said leg being designed to have its upper end projectinto said tapered opening in said receiving element whereby it will beheld in position by the pivotal connection and said receiving member,the structure being such that the greater the pressure upon thesupporting element the tighter the leg will lock in position asspecified.

2. A leg locking structure for supports or the like including asupporting element, an inclined leg, a pivotal connection for securingthe log to the under side of said supporting element, said pivotalconnection including a link secured to said support and to said leg,said link being curved in cross section for partially receiving the legtherein when the same is in inoperative position, a receiving memberhaving a wedge shaped opening therein mounted on the under side of thesupporting element, said leg being designed to have its upper endproject into the opening in said receiving element whereby it will beheld in position by the pivotal connection and said receiving member,the structure being such that the greater the pressure upon thesupporting element the tighter the leg will lock in position asspecified.

Des Moines, Iowa, November 241, 1922.

ERNEST S. JOHNSON.

